Santa Clara VTA strike won't happen this week, union says

Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) light-rail and bus operators will not go on strike this week, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 leaders told local news media.

The union leaders said they will meet March 7 to discuss next steps in either negotiating a new labor agreement or taking strike action.

A contract between the VTA and union, which represents 1,500 members at the Santa Clara, California, transit agency, expired at midnight March 3. In mid-February, ATU members voted to authorize a potential strike if an agreement on wages could not be reached by the contract's expiration.

Negotiations have been ongoing for months, with the main sticking point being wages. VTA is offering a 9% pay raise over three years, while the union said it is looking for a raise closer to 18%, according to the news report.